Floyd Mayweather Jr. has definitively stated there will be no Floyd Mayweather Adrien Broner exhibition fight, as he hasn’t spoken to Broner in months. has decisively ruled out any future exhibition boxing match with Adrien Broner, stating he hasn’t spoken to the former four-weight world champion in months. Mayweather made his stance unequivocally clear, effectively ending years of Broner’s persistent calls for a high-profile, lucrative showdown.
This definitive rejection from Mayweather highlights a significant shift in his post-professional fighting career, where he now exclusively seeks exhibition opponents from mixed martial arts (MMA) or the YouTube community, steering clear of fellow professional boxers.
Mayweather dismisses Adrien Broner exhibition hopes
Floyd Mayweather Jr. gave an immediate and firm “Absolutely not” when asked about the possibility of an exhibition bout with Adrien Broner. The undefeated legend emphasized his respect for Broner’s character and considerable boxing skills, acknowledging him as “a hell of a character” with “a lot of boxing skills” and “good power.”
Despite this personal admiration, Mayweather’s current strategy for exhibition matches excludes professional boxers entirely. He explained that his post-retirement appearances are now primarily for entertainment, fun, and a “cool payday,” not to “prove that I’m the best or take punishment.”
Evolution of Mayweather’s exhibition strategy
Mayweather, who concluded his professional career in August 2017 with an impeccable 50-0 record, now carefully selects his exhibition opponents. He prefers matchups against MMA fighters or YouTubers, a choice designed to minimize physical risk while still generating substantial revenue.
This approach allows the 47-year-old Mayweather to preserve his physical and mental “faculties,” ensuring he can enjoy retirement and spend time with his grandson. His successful business dealings outside the ring, which he attributes to “smart investments,” further underscore his calculated approach to post-boxing ventures.
His pivot to different types of opponents contrasts sharply with the demands of traditional professional boxing matchups, where the competitive intensity remains paramount. Mayweather’s exhibitions are a distinct commercial enterprise, separate from the rigorous, high-stakes professional contests seen on the world stage.
A complicated relationship: mentorship to rivalry
The relationship between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Adrien Broner has been long, complex, and often fraught with tension. In their earlier years, Mayweather spotted Broner’s talent, publicly encouraging fans to take notice and helping to pave the way for the Cincinnati native’s rise to superstardom.
Broner, often seen as following the “Mayweather blueprint,” quickly became the youngest four-weight world champion in boxing history. He established himself as one of the sport’s biggest attractions, mirroring some of his mentor’s early career achievements.
However, Broner’s career trajectory eventually diverged significantly from Mayweather’s path to sustained greatness. Problems outside the ring began to overshadow his title successes, and the early promise of becoming Mayweather’s natural successor gradually faded, cooling their once-close bond.
Broner’s persistent calls and financial motivations
Adrien Broner has consistently sought an exhibition fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., often framing it as a mutually beneficial financial opportunity. These appeals span several years, made through various public platforms like social media and podcasts.
In February 2021, Broner publicly asked Mayweather on Instagram for an exhibition he believed could generate “$30-50 million” for each fighter. He appealed to their past connection, stating, “You call me yo Lil bro. Let’s make the money together, and you can teach me at the same time.”
Broner reiterated his desire in August 2022 on the “CIGARTALK” podcast, suggesting they could both earn “north of $100 million” for a 10-round exhibition. He openly discussed his financial difficulties, including child support payments, seeing such a high-profile bout as a path to rebuilding his wealth.
Most recently, in June 2026, Broner, now 35, once again challenged Mayweather during a livestream appearance on DeenTheGreat’s Kick channel. He proposed a “$100 million a piece” exhibition, arguing his name still commanded media attention and could provide a “financial boost” for both of them, emphasizing the potential for young boxing talent to benefit from such high-visibility events.
Mayweather’s historical dismissals and critical remarks
Mayweather has consistently dismissed Broner’s challenges, often with critical remarks about Broner’s personal and financial circumstances. As far back as April 2016, Mayweather “laughed off” Broner’s initial challenge to come out of retirement, calling it “the biggest joke of the night.”
He advised Broner to focus on “life after boxing” and staying out of trouble, rather than challenging him. In March 2016, Mayweather made several pointed comments, questioning Broner’s career choices and financial status.
He remarked that Broner, nicknamed “The Problem,” had “a lot of problems,” and speculated if “AB” stood for “Always Broke.” Mayweather even claimed one of his cars cost more than Broner had made in his entire career, referring to him as a “snake.”
The unfulfilled promise of Broner’s legacy
Adrien Broner’s career, while marked by early brilliance, is often viewed as one of unfulfilled potential. His achievement of becoming the youngest four-weight world champion is an undeniable highlight, solidifying his place in boxing history.
However, issues outside the ring and a lack of consistent discipline unfortunately derailed what many believed could have been an even greater legacy. In 2023, Broner himself acknowledged that Mayweather had tried to guide him away from the mistakes that ultimately impacted his career.
“When we first met, you told me a lot. You tried to teach me a lot,” Broner wrote. “Now that I’m older, I can see that you tried to help me. If I would have listened to you, I probably wouldn’t have gotten in the trouble I’ve been in.”
Despite his struggles, Broner’s early accomplishments alone suggest he merits consideration for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
